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Al Gilbertson Wins 2025 Robert M. Shipley Award
Gilbertson has worked as a researcher, jeweler, lapidary artist, appraiser, and business owner throughout his decades in the industry.
Former GIA CEO Susan Jacques (left) presented the 2025 Robert M. Shipley Award to industry veteran Al Gilbertson.
Carlsbad, Calif.—The American Gem Society (AGS) awarded its annual Robert M. Shipley Award to Al Gilbertson.
The award was given during a reception Tuesday at its inaugural Converge event, co-hosted with the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).
The award is AGS’ highest honor and recognizes a lifetime of excellence in gemological research, education, and service to the industry.
Gilbertson has been a graduate gemologist through GIA and a certified gemologist through AGS since 1979.
For decades, he has worked to shape practice and theory in the gemological field, said AGS.
He also has decades of experience as a jeweler, lapidary artist, appraiser, and business owner.
In his early career, he worked on jewelry restoration, custom cutting, lapidary work, and appraisal services.
In 2000, Gilbertson joined GIA as a researcher.
He is a member of the GIA team that studies how proportions and other factors impact the appearance of fancy-shaped diamonds, working to develop a cut grading system for those shapes.
Gilbertson is also one of the inventors of GIA’s cut grading system for round brilliant diamonds, and his name can be found on several of the patents related to that system.
His book, “American Cut — The First 100 Years,” is “widely regarded as the definitive work on the subject,” said AGS.
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The award was given during a reception Tuesday at its inaugural Converge event, co-hosted with the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).
The award is AGS’ highest honor and recognizes a lifetime of excellence in gemological research, education, and service to the industry.
Gilbertson has been a graduate gemologist through GIA and a certified gemologist through AGS since 1979.
For decades, he has worked to shape practice and theory in the gemological field, said AGS.
He also has decades of experience as a jeweler, lapidary artist, appraiser, and business owner.
In his early career, he worked on jewelry restoration, custom cutting, lapidary work, and appraisal services.
In 2000, Gilbertson joined GIA as a researcher.
He is a member of the GIA team that studies how proportions and other factors impact the appearance of fancy-shaped diamonds, working to develop a cut grading system for those shapes.
Gilbertson is also one of the inventors of GIA’s cut grading system for round brilliant diamonds, and his name can be found on several of the patents related to that system.
His book, “American Cut — The First 100 Years,” is “widely regarded as the definitive work on the subject,” said AGS.
“Al’s impact on the gemological field is profound,” said Susan Jacques, the former CEO of GIA, who presented the award.
“His work is at the heart of how we evaluate the quality of a diamond’s cut. He brings curiosity, precision, and an enduring passion for excellence to every project, and his legacy will continue to guide gemological science for generations to come.”
“I’ve enjoyed my journey in this industry,” said Gilbertson in his acceptance speech. “I appreciate all the opportunities I’ve been given, and I encourage anybody who’s given opportunities to excel in this industry to take them and run with it.”
Gilbertson was raised in the lapidary gem cutting business, but he didn’t immediately join the family business.
He joined the U.S. Air Force, serving as a Russian linguist stationed near Washington, D.C., from 1971 to 1974.
His father, Chester “Chet” Gilbertson passed away suddenly, and Al, an only child, was released from the U.S. Air Force to help his mother Ida run the family business, Gil’s Rock Shop, in Tehachapi, California.
In 1977, he joined McDonald Jewelers in Fresno, California as a custom gem cutter. He also worked in appraisals, sales, and management.
Later, he joined Tenbrook Jewelers as an appraiser and staff trainer at its locations in Albany, Newport, and Lincoln City in Oregon.
In 1987, with some encouragement from Marty Zell of Zell Brothers, Gilbertson founded Gem Profiles, an independent appraisal service in Portland, Oregon, that worked with more than 70 jewelers.
Gilbertson also owned Gilbertson Company, a platinum and goldsmithing company that specialized in custom jewelry manufacturing, restoration of period jewelry, custom fabrication, rendering, and model making.
Most recently, he has taught jewelry forensics courses at GIA.
“Al’s ability to bridge scientific precision with an understanding of diamond beauty has helped elevate our industry,” said Katherine Bodoh, CEO of the American Gem Society, in a statement.
“We are deeply grateful for his contributions and proud to honor him.”
Gilbertson was also the recipient of the 2017 Antonio C. Bonanno Award for Excellence in Gemology from the Accredited Gemologists Association.
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